Greg Jackson: Jones’ Wrestling Equal To or Better Than Matyushenko’s

By: Lutfi SariahmedJul 30, 2010

Jon
Jones (left) file photo: Dave Mandel | Sherdog.com

Greg Jackson isn’t swayed by the hype surrounding pupil Jon Jones. The
Albuquerque-based trainer sees a legitimate threat in Vladimir
Matyushenko, who Jones faces in the main event at UFC on Versus
2 this Sunday in San Diego, Calif.

“I want to watch the pace because Vladimir is just going to try to
get in there I think and stuff us. Get inside. Break us. That's my
concern, him just trying to stuff us, smother and stay on top and
he's going try and stifle Jon's creativity,” Jackson told the
Sherdog Radio
Network’s “Savage Dog Show” on Monday.

Jackson, who’s built an army of standout fighters out in the New
Mexico desert with fellow trainer Mike Winkeljohn, said the
23-year-old Jones has been drilled to handle the close-quarters
wrestler, as well as the negation of Jones’ 10-inch longer
reach.

“We've been working a lot of good inside stuff and wrestling and
all that stuff so we should be well prepared for his game plan, I
hope,” said Jackson. “I fully expect (Matyushenko) to come in and
swing at Jon's head trying to take Jon down and then holding Jon on
the ground.”

Matyushenko wrestled for his native Belarus before moving to the
U.S. and becoming a two-time national junior college champion for
Lassen College. The 39-year-old former IFL champion’s wrestling has
been a major component of his game throughout his 13-year
career.

Jackson believes Jones’ non-traditional wrestling style, which is
emphasized by explosive split-second trips and drops, will hold its
own.

“I think he's easily as good if not better than Vladimir only
because of his unique wrestling style. He has a style if you
haven't dealt with it, it's very, very difficult to deal with,”
said Jackson. “Matyushenko is a much more decorated wrestler and
has more experience but I think what negates that is Jon Jones has
unorthodox wrestling... I feel very comfortable in the wrestling
department.”

That’s not to say that Jackson doesn’t expect Jones -- also a
one-time national junior college champion for Iowa Central
Community College, which turned out the likes of UFC heavyweight
contender Cain
Velasquez and Bellator champ Joe Soto -- to
stay off his back.

“I fully expect (Jones) to be taken down at some point during the
fight and we'll be fully ready when that happens,” said Jackson.
“If it doesn't happen, that's great. But we are definitely prepared
with a contingency if he does get taken down… He's getting really
good off his back. I'm not overly concerned with any one part of
the fight.”